Guard of my Heart ✅

8. Sketches

I'm in the garden sketching. I thought I could escape the chaos of my wedding planning but of course there's one person who always knows where to find me. "Riley is going crazy" Josh chuckles, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his pants. It's weird to see him wearing regular clothing as opposed to his guards' uniform but since our engagement he's stepped down. He was still terribly handsome and every girl in Nautica agreed. My parents were terrified about the effect of my marrying a guard but the public was taken by him just as I knew they would be. He was impossible not to love.

"Why is that?" I ask curiously, looking up at him. I have to squint because of the sunlight blinding me.

"Because you keep escaping wedding planning" he laughs as he sits across from me, resting his back against the opposite end of the bench. "Tell me princess, do you really want to get married?" he teases.

"I want the marriage, not the wedding" I explain honestly. "The wedding is just so much planning" I sigh. "Can't we just skip it?"

"Right to the consummation. I like the way you think" he smirks. I laugh and shake my head in amusement.

"Once was enough until our wedding night."

"If you say so" he shrugs making me blush. "Is the planning that horrendous for you sweetheart?" he asks worriedly. "I can do it if you need me to."

"No, no" I insist, shaking my head. "It's just overwhelming. I needed some air."

"And your sketchpad. You know you once told me you would let me see what it is that you draw all the time" he points out. I roll my eyes and clutch the book to my chest.

"Would you really like to see?" I ask curiously, gnawing my bottom lip.

"Yes please" he smiles. I take a breath and hand it over. He opens it to the first page and his mouth drops open in shock. "It's me" he says in a daze. I smile and nod, hugging my knees to my chest.

"What do you think?"

"Sweetheart these are incredible" he says in awe as he pages through them. "The detail is astounding. It's sad that you have to stifle this talent" he adds as he raises his gaze back to me.

"Running a country comes first but it will always be a great love of mine" I shrug as he hands me back my book. "And it's one I've only ever shared with you" I admit softly. "You may add it to the list" I add making him chuckle as he pulls me onto his lap. He kisses me softly, parting my lips and dominating my mouth with his tongue. I moan, pulling on the loose strands of hair at the nape of his neck.

"Are you sure once was enough?" he whispers.

"No" I giggle as I close my lips back over his.

"There you are" Riley exclaims when she sees me. "Kiss later. We have planning to do" she insists as she grabs my hand and pulls me off of Josh.

"But" I protest.

"Later" she says seriously. I sigh and follow after my best friend to the study. "Trust me, save yourself" she advises. "Wouldn't want to fall pregnant first like me" she adds as she puts her hand over her belly. I gnaw my bottom lip as I sit down.

"Josh and I have already" I trail off. She looks at me and her eyes widen.

"Oh" she says making me chuckle.

"Yes so um the baby train may or may not have already left the station. Stay tuned" I add as I grab the wedding plans from the coffee table. The sketch of my dress was stunning and I had decided on red and white for the wedding colors. The only thing left was flowers and music which I really could care less about.

"I suppose it's a good thing you're getting married next week" she says, clapping her hands together. "So, um where would you like this to be held? There is of course the chapel but I thought perhaps there may be a more special location that you and Josh would like to have it in." My heart skips a beat as I think about the garden. It was our spot and it was perfect.

"The garden" I nod. "It already has flowers of every variety and it's absolutely breathtaking" I gush. "It's our favorite place. I could not think of a better place to marry the man of my dreams."

"The garden it is and that takes care of flowers as well. The only thing left would be music."

"Anything you can find is quite alright with me" I assure her. "I trust you on this completely Riley."

"It's going to be the perfect day" she smiles. "Aren't you excited? To finally marry Josh?" she asks and I can't help but grin and nod.

"I only let myself dream of marrying Josh. It was so unrealistic yet here I am. Planning our wedding. He's going to be my husband and me his wife. I couldn't think of a better fairytale ending."

"Oh I just love weddings" Riley gushes making me chuckle as I watch her excitement bubble over. I wasn't a fan of weddings but this one would definitely be perfect.